Exploring Global Medicine Gled 101 Industry Assignment Justin Tubbs

Dr. Lina Mata International Fellow ITSDP Coordinator Dr. Mata attended medical school in her home country of Ecuador. She has been at VCU since she took the position as ITSDP coordinator at the VCU Medical Center four years ago. She currently volunteers at the Crossover Clinic and also gives CPR training to Spanish-speaking members of the Richmond community

About the ITSDP The International Trauma System Development Program aids developing countries, where adequate trauma care is severely lacking, in finding solutions to improve and strengthen their trauma care. The program has developed a trauma registry in Ecuador and has helped other countries, like Columbia, Paraguay, Chile, and Panama improve their Trauma care immensely. Although they are currently only focused on Central America, they hope to soon expand their program to Africa as well.

What made you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in medicine? Dr. Mata had dreams of becoming a fashion designer until her aunt, who is a physician, introduced the possibility of becoming a doctor. Dr. Mata decided that this was a path that interested her, so she went to medical school in Ecuador. Her first two years were focused on studying anatomy and other science courses, without much clinical experience. Her third year of med school, when she began gaining clinical experience, she knew right away that medicine was the right career for her and has loved it ever since.

How is the medical field adapting to a more globalized world How is the medical field adapting to a more globalized world? What direction do you see it taking from here? In this more globalized society, physicians are becoming more culturally aware and sensitive Medical education programs are becoming more internationally-focused. The HOMBRE program at VCU allows first-year medical students to work alongside physicians in underdeveloped areas of Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

Which national cultures do you interact with most frequently on a day to day basis? Dr. Mata works extensively with individuals from Central America. Through volunteering at the Southside Crossover Clinic, she has been exposed to a large Central American population, which many people who live and work in downtown Richmond don’t even realize is present.

Do you find it challenging to work with individuals from cultures that are different from your own? Although it is difficult to overcome differences in culture, Dr. Mata has found ways to handle these barriers. It is easier for her to communicate with people who speak Spanish, though, since she is bilingual. One specific area that she finds is a common barrier is education level. Many of her patients have a low level of education and have a hard time understanding medical procedures, terminology and preventative measures.

Have you taken any special courses or training to improve your cultural awareness or global competency? Most of Dr. Mata’s experience with cultural awareness and global competency did not come from traditional training or classroom experience. During her medical school training in Ecuador, she spent a year working in a rural village where some natives did not even speak Spanish. This gave her invaluable hands-on experience working with individuals from a culture immensely different from her own.

Now that you are in the field, what are 3 pieces of advice you would give to someone just starting out? 1) You need patience to succeed in a career in medicine. 2) Never judge your patients. 3) Find a balance between your work and personal life.